How to choose an 11kV heat shrink cable termination kit or straight-through jointing kit — indoor vs outdoor, XLPE vs PILC, 3 core and single core from 16 to 1200 sq mm. Includes an 11kV size chart with VIKCHEM kit codes, what is inside the kit, installation steps, what affects price, and FAQs for DISCOMs, EPC contractors and panel builders.
Quick Answer: Which 11kV Cable Termination Kit Do I Need?
An 11kV cable termination kit is chosen by four details of your cable and site:
- ●Cable type — XLPE (most new cables) or PILC (older paper-insulated cables)
- ●Cores — 3 core (3C) or single core (1C)
- ●Conductor size — in sq mm, e.g. 3 × 300 sq mm
- ●Location — indoor (inside a panel, RMU, VCB or transformer cable box) or outdoor (pole, DP structure, open yard, transformer bushing outdoors)
- ●Controls electrical stress at the screen cut with stress control tubing or stress relief mastic
- ●Insulates each core with non-tracking tubing up to the lug
- ●Seals the cable end against moisture and contamination
- ●Adds creepage distance with rain sheds on outdoor kits
- ●Earths the screen and armour so fault current has a safe path
- ●Breakout (spreader boot) — seals the crotch where the three cores separate
- ●Stress control tubing or stress relief mastic — grades the electric field at the screen cut
- ●Non-tracking insulating tubing — insulates each core from the breakout to the lug
- ●Rain sheds — outdoor kits only, to increase creepage distance
- ●Sealing mastic and red sealant — fills voids and seals the lug barrel
- ●Earthing components — earth braid and fixings for the copper screen and armour (as applicable)
- ●Cleaning materials and an installation instruction sheet
- ●Indoor or outdoor — outdoor kits cost more because of rain sheds and longer UV-resistant tubing
- ●Conductor size band — larger cables need larger, longer tubes
- ●3 core or single core — a 3 core kit includes a breakout and three sets of core components
- ●XLPE, PILC or transition — PILC and transition kits include extra sealing parts
- ●Lugs included or not — and whether they are aluminium, copper or bimetallic
- ●Order quantity and delivery location
- ●Ordering an indoor kit for an outdoor location — leads to tracking and flashover.
- ●Choosing by the wrong size band — check the conductor size printed on the cable sheath.
- ●Ordering an XLPE kit for a PILC cable (or the other way round) — PILC needs a PILC or transition kit.
- ●Forgetting the cable box clearance — measure the panel or RMU height and phase spacing.
- ●Not matching lugs to the conductor — aluminium cable on copper terminals needs bimetallic lugs.
- ●Untrained jointers — most 11kV failures come from poor screen cutting and heating, not from the kit.
- ●Heat Shrink Cable Termination Kits — 1.1kV to 36kV
- ●Heat Shrink Cable Jointing Kits
- ●Contact VIKCHEM for a Quotation
For example, an 11kV 3 core 300 sq mm XLPE cable needs VXI-13 for an indoor termination, VXO-13 for an outdoor termination and VXS-13 for a straight-through joint. The full 11kV chart is below.
Vikram Power Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (VIKCHEM), Yamuna Nagar, Haryana, has manufactured IS 13573 certified 11kV heat shrink cable termination kits and 11kV cable jointing kits since 1988, supplying state DISCOMs, Indian Railways, EPC contractors and switchgear OEMs in India and 20+ countries.
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What Is an 11kV Cable Termination Kit?
An 11kV cable termination kit is a set of heat shrinkable components that safely ends a medium voltage (HT) power cable so it can be connected to switchgear, a transformer or an overhead line. When the cable's metallic screen is cut back, the electric field concentrates at the screen edge. Without control, this causes partial discharge, tracking and eventual breakdown. The termination kit:
An 11kV straight-through jointing kit does the same job in the middle of a cable run — it reconnects two cable lengths and restores insulation, screen, armour and outer sheath.
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Indoor vs Outdoor 11kV Termination — What Is the Difference?
| Feature | Indoor Termination (VXI / VPI) | Outdoor Termination (VXO / VPO) |
|---|---|---|
| Where used | Panels, RMUs, VCBs, transformer cable boxes, indoor substations | Poles, DP structures, outdoor yards, outdoor transformer bushings |
| Exposure | Protected from rain and UV | Rain, UV, dust, salt fog and pollution |
| Rain sheds | Usually not required | Required — they increase creepage distance |
| Outer tubing | Non-tracking insulating tubing | UV-stabilised, anti-tracking tubing |
| Length | Shorter, suits compact cable boxes | Longer, because of sheds and creepage |
| Typical buyer | Panel builders, switchgear OEMs, building projects | DISCOMs, rural electrification, railway traction, solar plants |
Rule of thumb: if the termination can see rain or sunlight at any time, order an outdoor kit. An indoor kit used outdoors is one of the most common causes of early failure — read more in why cable joints and terminations fail.
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11kV Heat Shrink Kit Size Chart — VIKCHEM Kit Codes
11kV XLPE Cable — 3 Core
| Cable Size (sq mm) | Indoor Termination | Outdoor Termination | Straight-Through Joint |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 × 16 – 95 | VXI-11 | VXO-11 | VXS-11 |
| 3 × 120 – 185 | VXI-12 | VXO-12 | VXS-12 |
| 3 × 240 – 300 | VXI-13 | VXO-13 | VXS-13 |
| 3 × 400 | VXI-14 | VXO-14 | VXS-14 |
| 3 × 500 – 630 | VXI-15 | VXO-15 | VXS-15 |
11kV XLPE Cable — Single Core
| Cable Size (sq mm) | Indoor Termination | Outdoor Termination | Straight-Through Joint |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 × 16 – 95 | VXIS-11 | VXOS-11 | VXSS-11 |
| 1 × 120 – 300 | VXIS-12 | VXOS-12 | VXSS-12 |
| 1 × 400 | VXIS-13 | VXOS-13 | VXSS-13 |
| 1 × 500 – 630 | VXIS-14 | VXOS-14 | VXSS-14 |
| 1 × 800 – 1200 | VXIS-15 | VXOS-15 | VXSS-15 |
11kV PILC Cable — 3 Core
| Cable Size (sq mm) | Indoor Termination | Outdoor Termination | Straight-Through Joint |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 × 16 – 95 | VPI-11 | VPO-11 | VPS-11 |
| 3 × 120 – 185 | VPI-12 | VPO-12 | VPS-12 |
| 3 × 240 – 300 | VPI-13 | VPO-13 | VPS-13 |
| 3 × 400 | VPI-14 | VPO-14 | VPS-14 |
Joining a new XLPE cable to an old PILC cable? You need a transition joint (VTSJ for 3 core, VTSSJ for single core). For 22kV and 33kV codes, see the full kit selection chart. For 1.1kV cables, see the LT kit guide.
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What Is Inside an 11kV Heat Shrink Termination Kit?
Contents vary by cable type and kit, but a typical 11kV XLPE 3 core termination kit includes:
PILC kits add components to seal the oil-impregnated paper insulation and handle the lead sheath. Cable lugs are normally ordered separately to match the conductor (aluminium, copper or bimetallic) — shear-head mechanical lugs are useful when large crimping tools are not available on site.
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Heat Shrink vs Cold Shrink vs Push-On at 11kV
| Technology | Strengths | Points to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Heat shrink | Proven, economical, long shelf life, wide size range per kit, easy to stock | Needs a gas torch and correct heating technique |
| Cold shrink | No flame needed | Higher cost, limited shelf life, narrower size range |
| Push-on / pre-moulded | Fast fitting | Size-specific, highest cost, needs precise cable preparation |
For most Indian DISCOM, EPC and industrial projects, heat shrink remains the most widely used 11kV termination technology because one kit covers a wide size band and stores for years. Full details: heat shrink vs cold shrink cable accessories. For dead-front RMUs and compact switchgear, consider touch-proof elbow connectors.
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How an 11kV Heat Shrink Termination Is Installed (Overview)
Step 1 — Prepare the cable. Fix the cable in its final position, then remove the outer sheath, armour and bedding to the dimensions on the kit instruction sheet.
Step 2 — Earth the armour and screen. Attach the earth braid to the armour and copper screen with the supplied fixings.
Step 3 — Fit the breakout. Apply sealing mastic at the crotch, position the breakout and shrink it from the centre outwards.
Step 4 — Cut the screen and semiconductor. Remove the copper screen and the outer semiconducting layer to the stated length. Do not nick the XLPE insulation — and leave no semicon traces on it.
Step 5 — Control the stress. Apply stress relief mastic at the screen step and shrink the stress control tubing in position.
Step 6 — Insulate and fit sheds. Shrink the non-tracking tubing over each core, then fit and shrink rain sheds at the spacings given (outdoor kits).
Step 7 — Fit lugs and seal. Crimp or shear-bolt the lugs, seal the lug barrel with the sealant tube, and allow the kit to cool before energising.
For a detailed step-by-step joint procedure, see our XLPE cable jointing procedure.
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What Affects the Price of an 11kV Cable Termination Kit?
The price of an 11kV termination or jointing kit depends on:
For a current price, send the cable details and quantity to sales@vptpl.com — VIKCHEM sells direct from the factory to DISCOMs, contractors, dealers and OEMs.
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Standards and Testing for 11kV Cable Accessories
In India, 11kV heat shrink cable accessories are specified to IS 13573 (Joints and terminations for polymeric cables), which follows IEC 60502-4. Type tests include AC and impulse voltage withstand, partial discharge, heat cycling and humidity / salt fog tests for outdoor terminations. Many DISCOMs also require CPRI type test reports and approval before supply. Learn what to check in our IS 13573 guide.
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6 Common Mistakes When Buying 11kV Kits
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which 11kV termination kit is used for a 3 core 300 sq mm XLPE cable? A 3 core 300 sq mm 11kV XLPE cable falls in the 240–300 sq mm band: VIKCHEM VXI-13 for indoor termination, VXO-13 for outdoor termination, and VXS-13 for a straight-through joint.
Q: What is the difference between an 11kV indoor and outdoor termination kit? An outdoor kit includes rain sheds and UV-resistant anti-tracking tubing to provide more creepage distance against rain, dust and pollution. An indoor kit is shorter and is used inside panels, RMUs and cable boxes where it is protected from weather.
Q: Can an indoor 11kV termination be used outdoors? No. An indoor termination does not have the creepage distance or UV resistance needed outdoors and can track or flash over in rain and pollution. Always use an outdoor kit for exposed locations.
Q: Which kit is used for 11kV 3 core 240 sq mm cable? Use the 240–300 sq mm band: VXI-13 (indoor), VXO-13 (outdoor) or VXS-13 (joint) for XLPE cable, and VPI-13, VPO-13 or VPS-13 for PILC cable.
Q: What kit joins an 11kV XLPE cable to an old PILC cable? A transition joint is required — VIKCHEM VTSJ for 3 core cables and VTSSJ for single core cables, selected by conductor size.
Q: Are lugs included in an 11kV cable termination kit? Lugs are usually selected separately because they depend on conductor size and material. Tell VIKCHEM the cable details when ordering and we will supply or recommend matching lugs.
Q: Which standard applies to 11kV heat shrink cable termination kits in India? IS 13573, which is aligned with IEC 60502-4. Utilities often also ask for CPRI type test reports.
Q: Who manufactures 11kV heat shrink cable termination kits in India? VIKCHEM (Vikram Power Technologies Pvt. Ltd.), Yamuna Nagar, Haryana, has manufactured IS 13573 certified 11kV heat shrink termination and jointing kits since 1988 for DISCOMs, Indian Railways, EPC contractors and switchgear OEMs. Contact sales@vptpl.com or +91-99966-30201.
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Order 11kV Termination and Jointing Kits From VIKCHEM
Send us the voltage, cable type (XLPE/PILC), cores, conductor size, indoor or outdoor, and quantity — we will confirm the kit codes and send a quotation from the factory.
Related reading: Kit Selection Chart — 1.1kV to 33kV | LT Cable Kits — 1.1kV Guide | Why Cable Joints Fail